History of Autumn Alliance

September 18, 2022, will be a milestone day in the livestock industry at Orillia, Ontario as the Autumn Alliance Polled Hereford Sale celebrates its 40th Anniversary. Autumn Alliance is the longest running female production sale in the Hereford breed and could well be the longest running female sale of all beef breeds in Canada. The success of this event is the result of breeder dedication and the quality of their product… countless repeated achievements in their breeding pastures and in show rings around the nation for over four decades. Take a minute and consider what you were doing four decades ago…the auctioneer and sale manager for Autumn Alliance XXXX, Chris Poley, was a budding pee wee 4H member just beginning to pursue his love of livestock. In 1980, Ted Turner debuted the first 24-hour television network, CNN. Pierre Elliot Trudeau was elected as Prime Minister with a majority replacing Joe Clark…Wayne Gretzky played his first NHL game and the USA defeated the Soviet Union in what was labeled as the “Miracle on Ice”…interest rates were 11%...USA inflation was 13.58%...the average income was $19,500.00 …you could buy a Ram truck for $5,665.00…ground beef was $1.39 per lb. … a gallon of milk was $1.35…gas was 96 cents a gallon…Herefords had the highest membership and registrations of the beef breeds in Canada and the Canadian Hereford Digest published monthly publications. During this era much of livestock selection was done by frame size, so you could pick anyone out of the crowd to judge a show. Tape measures were carried to measure the height and length of the cannon bone to assist in selection and marketing. EPD’s were far from development, sale catalogues

History of were black and white (with some having color covers), internet and cell phones were nonexistent … you needed a quarter to AUTUMN ALLIANCE make a call from a phone booth, although Motorola introduced mobile phones to the public in 1983… and Facebook was launched in 2004. During that era, it was fashionable to be entertaining and somewhat extravagant … a sale would take two days with the first afternoon viewing the sale offering followed by quite a formal, usually catered dinner party and the sale the following day. Autumn Alliance I was held on October 18, 1980, at, Uxbridge, Ontario. It was comprised of the host, L. R. “Doodie” DaleHarris of Wotton House Farms along with guest consignors Medonte Highlands Polled Herefords, Jack and Lois McAughey and Doug and Jane Langman, Orillia; Greenbrae Farm, Robert Hillborn and Donald K Blakley, Oshawa; Greenbrook Farms, E.G. (Ted) Burton, King City; Pine Ridge Polled Herefords, Harold and Norma Forder, Port Perry, and Gerald Fortier and Real Fortin, Ferme Saguenay ENR., from Quebec. They hosted a standing room crowd for this international premiere event. 88 lots grossed $399,625.00 and averaged $4,541.00. Topping the sale was Wotton U81 890C Minerva 15M, a heifer calf sired by Denver Champion Victorious K47 U81 fetching $25,000.00 for a one-half interest and selected by Harry Coates Ltd., Costhorpe Polled Herefords, Cosby, Leicester, England. The top selling yearling was consigned by Greenbrae Farms and guest Donald Blakley, DKB Enforcer Viva 28L sired by Hawley Enforcer 107H. She was purchased for $13,000.00 by a new starting breeder, George Hervey, Kilmorlie Farms, Bradford,

Ontario. The female became a foundation donor female for Kilmorlie Farms producing 1087 progeny including KIlmorlie 12P Steel 359S who was Canadian National Champion bull at Canadian Western Agribition in Regina. The second high selling heifer calf was consigned by Medonte Highlands Polled Herefords with MHPH Miss Justa V 309M sired by Will Via Justa V (Jogger) and selected by Greenbrook Farms for $7,400.00.

Wotton House Farms hosted the sale through 1983. That year another great donor female was discovered at Autumn Alliance. Wotton Enforcer Nocturne 29N, sired by the Gold Trophy sire Hawley Enforcer 107H was selected by Don Jarrett, Ponderosa Ranch, Maidstone, Saskatchewan for $26,500.00. She went on to be a foundation female and a highly successful donor for PRL. Medonte Highlands consigned the high selling cow/calf pair fetching $11,600.00 with a daughter of PRL 394E Justus 387J selected by Grosvenor Park Securities and her Gold-Bar Godfather heifer calf at side going to DR. R. Sawyer, Russellville, Kentucky.

In 1984, the Autumn Alliance host venue moved to Medonte Highlands Polled Herefords, Orillia, Ontario and at that time Ross Hiles was the herdsman for Jack and Lois. The sale date was moved to the third week of September, coordinating the “Ontario” weekend with Onondaga Farms, St. George and featuring the high sellers of the day. Some of the highlights through those early years included MHPH Madonna selling for $18,750.00 to Australia; MHPH MS Raceway for $18,000.00 to Missouri and MHPH Fifth Avenue to the Fifth Avenue Group for $17,500.00. had viewing of the cattle, along with refreshments and music and was followed by Sunday breakfast in the barn, which has become an Autumn Alliance tradition to this very day. In more recent sales the “picture on the lawn” became a tradition

From 1994, and through 1998, Autumn Alliance was hosted by May Meadows Polled Herefords, Elizabeth May, Edgar, Ontario. Autumn Alliance returned to Medonte Highlands Polled Herefords at Orillia in 2000, becoming the permanent home for the sale venue. Over the four decades, there have been many guest consignors…high quality, enthusiastic breeders with small progressive herds. These breeders did not have the numbers to host their own event so Autumn Alliance has been a marketing venue for their breeding stock… no different than those in 1980.

On July 1, 2001, Jack and Lois took a monumental step by hiring Kevin Brown and along with his added skill and acumen of the livestock industry, Medonte Highlands and Autumn Alliance became a source for some of the finest Polled Herefords around the globe. Many records have been set only to be broken the following year.

Autumn Alliance in the last two decades has been a highly regarded source for herd bulls in the industry. It is quite ironic that for those who know Jack, in founding and building the Medonte program, he would want all his calves to be females “We have a limited bull market… not like the guys in the west.” Well, his ideas started to change at Autumn Alliance XXII and really changed by Autumn Alliance XXIV.

Autumn Alliance XXII - grossed $223,475.00 and averaged $3478.00. The start of the herd bull phase! The high selling bull, MHCVB 68M Prowler 118P, sired by Star America BNPMPH SS MKS 68M, sold for $30,000.00. This was a unique offering in a choice of four bull calves by Star America. Purchasers were Blair Athol Polled Herefords, Arcola, Saskatchewan; BnC Polled Herefords, Demorestville; Cedar Stone Hereford Farm, Pfefferlaw; McArthur Park Polled Herefords, Nobleton; John Ezell; and Wilgor Farms, Mirabel, Quebec. Prowler was co-owned with Chula Vista Polled Herefords and K-Bar-C Livestock.

Medonte topped the female division with MHPH MS 24K Goldie 113P sired by Remitall Icon 24K. She was selected by Sadie McConnell (Sinnabar) and went on to be National Futurity Grand Champion Female at the Toronto Royal Winter Fair later that fall.

Autumn Alliance XXIV – grossed $243,025.00 and averaged $5,180.00. BNMHPH 13P Heat 101S by Remitall Patriot ET 13P was the high selling bull bringing $40,000.00 for a 2/3 interest. He was purchased by Cotton-Wood Springs Polled Herefords, Cedar Michigan; Remitall Cattle Company, Olds, Alberta; Lone Pine Cattle Services, Vibank, Saskatchewan; Harvie Ranching, Olds, Alberta; Ottawa Valley Hereford Farm, Navan, Ontario; EJM Polled Herefords, Glencoe, Ontario; Bill Doig, Waldron, Indiana, ANL Polled Herefords, Steelman, Saskatchewan, Glenlees Polled Herefords, Arcola, Saskatchewan; Dingle Farm, Oakville, Ontario and WLB Polled Herefords, Douglas, Manitoba. “Heat” went on to Canadian Western Agribition where he was named Senior Bull Calf Champion and Canadian National Grand Champion Bull… the first to win as a calf. Bar-J-M Fussion 9S was second high selling bull at $18,000.00 for ½ interest for Bar-J-M Polled Herefords. Sired by GH Col Patton 2P, he was purchased by R.W.B. Herefords, Danville, Quebec; Cedar Brae Farms, Bancroft, Ontario; Moorehaven Farms, Acton, Ontario, Dave Quail, Combermere, Ontario; High Ridge Farm Ltd., Kingsbury, Quebec and Red Pines Polled Herefords, Sunridge, Ontario.

High selling female at $20,000.00 was MHPH MS 118P Pearl 106S. This daughter of MHCVB 68M Prowler 118P was selected by Star Lake Cattle Co., Skiatook, Oklahoma.

Autumn Alliance XXVI grossed $225,800.00 and averaged $5,232.00. Topping the sale was MHPH 13P Stetson 102S sired by Remitall Patriot ET 13P (a ¾ brother to XXIV sale topper Heat) at $41,000.00 for 2/3 interest. CCL Holdings Ltd., Lloydminster, Saskatchewan and the Stetson group (Bethanie Farms, Chula Vista Polled Herefords, Sinnibar Stock Farms, Lian Mor Polled Herefords, Shorty Croft Polled Herefords, C&T Cattle Co., Marbren Farms, Thurston Livestock and Bonnie Brae Farm) purchased the bull. Stetson was Junior Champion Bull at the 2007 National at Canadian Western Agribition and was selected Canadian National Champion Bull at the Toronto Royal Winter Fair and subsequently earned the status of Gold Trophy Sire.

High selling female was Taboo-Chula Vista MS Ulyssa 2U at $10,000.00. She was a daughter of BNMHPH 13P Heat 101S and was selected by Chula Vista Polled Herefords, Thornton, Ontario.

MHCVB 68M PROWLER 118P

MHPH 13P Stetson 102S

In Autumn Alliance XXVII the second high selling bull was MHPH 101S Umpire 118U, a son of BNMHPH 13P Heat 101S. An interest was purchased by Moorehaven Farms, Acton, Ontario for $7000.00. Later that fall he was shown with his mother at the Royal Winter Fair where the pair captured Canadian National Champion Female. Umpire as a two-year-old head lined Autumn Alliance XXVII where he was selected by Phantom Creek Livestock Ltd., Swift Current, Saskatchewan and Genex Co-operative Ltd., Rockwood, Ontario. Later thar fall, Umpire was declared Canadian National Grand Champion Bull at Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, Saskatchewan and is a Silver Trophy Sire.

MHPH 102S Wyatt 301W, a son of MHPH 13P Stetson 102S was selected by C&T Cattle Co., Arcola, Saskatchewan. That same fall, he was chosen Junior Bull Calf Champion at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. The following year he achieved Junior Champion Yearling Bull and in 2011 He captured Grand Champion Honors.

Autumn Alliance XXXI – grossed $262,800.00 and averaged $5,475.00. High selling bull was MHPH 521X Action 106A sired by TH 122 71I Victor 521X ET bringing $47,000.00 for ½ interest and purchased by Double J Polled Herefords, Maidstone, Saskatchewan. Later that fall, Action captured Senior Bull Calf Championships at the Royal Winter Fair and Canadian Western Agribition and concluded the year by being selected as Reserve National Champion Bull. The high selling bred heifer, MHPH CLF 101S Sarah 121Z, a daughter of BNMHPH 13P Heat 101S, was selected by JWR Polled Herefords, Sunderland, Ontario for $11,000.00 for a ½ interest. The high selling heifer calf, MHPH 521X Dainty 105A by TH 122 71I Victor 521X ET was purchased by Ridgeview Polled Herefords Alto, Michigan. She went on to win her division at the Royal Winter Fair later that fall and returned the following year to capture the Grand Champion position. Autumn Alliance XXXII grossed $324,200.00 and averaged $5,800.00

A female topped the 2014 sale and went on to claim Reserve Grand Champion Female at the Toronto Royal Winter Fair. MHPH JWR 10Y Sarah 219B sired by NJW 73S W18 Hometown 10Y ET was purchased by Arthur Polled Herefords, Alida, Saskatchewan for $30,000.00.

BNMHPH 101S UMPIRE 118U MHPH 521X ACTION 106A

MHPH 102S Wyatt 301W MHPH 521X DAINTY 105A

Topping the bull division was MHPH AFPH 10Y Boomtown 319B sired by NJW 73S W18 Hometown 10Y ET. Purchased by Taboo Polled Herefords, Nobleton, Ontario for $5,200.00, he later was awarded Junior Bull Calf Champion at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.

A first for the Autumn Alliance came out of the Medonte Highlands embryo program. Moorehaven Polled Herefords, Acton, Ontario purchased the pick of the flush calves out of MHPH Dainty 205Y and NJW 73S W18 Hometown 10Y for $10,000.00 for a ½ interest.

Autumn Alliance XXXIII grossed $372,100.00 and averaged $7,750.00 Two-year-olds with their calves at side were a feature of this sale. The high selling pair in the 2015 event at $43,500.00 were MHPH 16A Tori 211C by MHH 521X Action 106A purchased by Tori Investors Group, Baysville, Ontario and her mother, PCL Tori 118U 41A sired by MHPH 101S Umpire 118U was selected by Lone Pine Cattle Services, Vibank, Saskatchewan.

The second high selling pair fetched $18,500.00 with MHPH 106A Radiance 103C sired by MHPH 521X Action 106A being selected by River Valley Polled Herefords and RVP 51X Ablaze 7A by RVP 6056 Xcalibur 51X purchased by RSK Farms, Brandon, Manitoba and Harvie Ranching, Olds, Alberta. Successfully campaigned by RSK and Harvie Ranching, RVP 51X Ablaze 7A achieved the status of World Grand Champion

Hereford Female and the first of two World Champions to be purchased in the Autumn Alliance sale ring.

The high selling male lot was a semen package of MHPH 521X Action 106A which sold for $25,000.00 and purchased by the “Action Group”.

Autumn Alliance XXXIV grossed $424,250.00 and averaged $8,004.72 As in the previous year, pairs were the feature. High selling two-year-old pair sold for $52,800.00. MHPH 106A Nita 110D by MHPH 521X Action 106A and her mother, MHPH 10Y Nita 305B sired by NJW 73S W18 Hometown 10Y ET.

MHPH 106A Henrietta 124D by MHPH 521X Action 106A was selected by Arthur Polled Herefords, Alida, Saskatchewan and her mother MHPH 11X Henrietta 307B sired by TH 71U 719T MR Hereford 11X was selected by RSK Farms, Brandon, Manitoba. The pair fetched $23,250.00.

MHPH 106A Dillinger 1071D by MHPH 521X Action 106A (1/2 interest) was selected by Chittick Family Hereford Ranch, Mayerthorpe, Alberta and his mother, MHPH 10Y Frosty 302B was purchased by Mike Goodine, Bear Island, New Brunswick. The pair brought $13,500.00.

MHPH AFPH 10Y BOOMTOWN 319B

MHPH 16A TORI 211C RVP 51X ABLAZE 7A

MHPH 160A NITA 110D AS A CALF

High selling bull, MHPH 10Y Chizel ET 1021C sired by NJW 73S W18 Hometown 01Y ET at $17,000.00 for a ½ interest was purchased by Bar-J-M Polled Herefords, Whitney, Ontario. That fall he garnered Reserve Junior Champion Bull status at the Royal in Toronto and Canadian National Reserve Senior Champion Bull in 2017.

High selling bred heifer, Dorbay AXA Miss Clara 417C by Remitall-West Chicago ET 83Y was purchased by A.X.A. Polled Herefords, Hampton, New Brunswick for $12,500.00. Autumn Alliance XXXV grossed $403,600.00 and averaged $7,439.63

High selling bull MHPH 3134 Evolution 117E sired by Churchill Stud 3134A at $54,000.00 for a ½ interest was purchased by Moorehaven Farms, Acton, Ontario and the Evolution Breeders Group. Later that fall, Evolution was named Senior Bull Calf Champion at the Canadian National and is now a Silver Trophy Sire.

The cow/calf pair, MHPH 3134 Rythym 1141E sired by Churchill Stud 3134A was selected by Chula Vista Polled Herefords, Thornton, Ontario and Lian Mor Polled Herefords, Mono, Ontario and the mother, Haroldson’s WLC Rhythm 12Z 16B sired by Haroldson’s Liner 521X 12Z was purchased by Wascana Cattle Co., Regina, Saskatchewan and brought $34,000.00. Later in November of that year, MHPH 3134 Rythym 12Z 16B, was named National Senior Heifer Calf Champion. High selling cow, ANL 17A Northern Lady 153W 33C sired by TH 113W 11X Hi-Tech 17A was selected by Sandy Ridge Livestock, West Lorne, Ontario for $11,500.00.

The second Champion Female of the World to come through the ring was RVP 106A Cameo Girl 45C, a daughter of MHPH 521X Action 106A, was purchased by Glenlees Farm, Arcola, Saskatchewan for $11,000.00. She went on to win Bonanza 2018 and then crowned Canadian National Champion Female at Canadian Western Agribition.

Autumn Alliance XXXVI grossed $394,800.00 and averaged $7,178.18 Pairs topped the 2018 sale. Bringing $60,000.00 were MHPH 106A Pebbles 130F sired by MHPH 521X Action 106A to Tori Investments, Baysville, Ontario and her daughter MHPH 18U Pebbles 130F sired by MHPH 101S Umpire 118U to Walker Family Farm, Coldwater, Ontario.

MHPH 118U Fiesta 116F by MHPH 101S Umpire 118U was selected by Taboo Polled Herefords, Nobleton, Ontario and her mother PCL Fiesta 106A 36C sired by MHPH 521X Action 106A was selected by Bar-J-M Polled Herefords, Whitney, Ontario. The lot brought $44,500.00.

The heifer calf division was topped by Bar-J-M Dazzle 4F sired by MHPH 10Y Chizel ET 1021C and was purchased for $10,500.00 by Nelson Hirsche Purebreds, Del Bonita, Alberta.

MHPH 10Y CHIZEL ET 1021C

MHPH 3134 EVOLUTION 117E MHPH 3134 RYTHYM 1141E

RVP 106A CAMEO GIRL 45C

The high selling bred heifer, Dorbay Miss Yvonne 417E by AXA 10Y Home Team ET 704C was purchased by Wascana Cattle Co. for $10,000.00.

Autumn Alliance XXXVII grossed $335,350.00 and averaged $6,449.00 Although a two-year-old pair topped the sale, current year calves held the spotlight. Lot 1 brought $43,000.00. A ½ interest in MHPH 68E Nita 203G by ANL 420A Mountaineer 787X 68E was purchased by McDonald Farms, Grand Rapids, Michigan and her mother, MHPH 3134 Nita 1131E by Churchill Stud 3134A was purchased by Chula Vista Polled Herefords, Thornton, Ontario.

MHPH 646D Gunfire ET 401G topped the bulls, this son of Churchill Rock 646D ET brought $34,000.00 for a ½ interest from Sinnibar Stock Farm, Russell, Manitoba and the Gunfire Investment Group. This youngster was later named Junior Bull Calf Champion and Reserve Champion Bull at the 2019 Toronto Royal Winter Fair.

MHPH HF 646D Style 108G by Churchill Rock 646D ET was selected by Arthur Polled Herefords, Alida, Saskatchewan for $18,200.00. Chula-Vista Gina 118G sired by Haroldson’s Totem 200Z 5D was purchased by Medonte Highlands, Orillia, Ontario. Autumn Alliance XXXVIII grossed $400,100.00 and averaged $10,669.33. Covid-19 hits Canada but doesn’t scare Polled Hereford Breeders as records tumble and the sale average hits five digits.

MHPH 117E Hobbs ET 203H sired by MHPH 3134 Evolution 117E tops the sale at $50,000.00 for a ½ interest. The bull was purchased by Dorbay Polled Herefords, Dorchester, Ontario; BarJ-M Polled Herefords, Douglas, Ontario; Lone Pine Cattle Services, Vibank, Saskatchewan; JK Fraser Cattle, Cochrane, Alberta; High Ridge Farm, Melbourne, Quebec; NCX Polled Herefords, Brousseau, Alberta; Doug Troop Hereford Farm, Brandon, Manitoba; Taboo Polled Herefords, Nobleton, Ontario and Chula-Vista Polled Herefords, Thornton, Ontario.

High selling heifer calf was MHPH 117E Lady 106H by MHPH 3134 Evolution 117E. Abby Hill Farms, Richmond, Ontario paid $21,000.00 for a ½ interest.

High selling bred female at $19,750.00 for ½ interest was MHPH 5D Dainty ET 1011G sired by Haroldson’s Totem 200Z 5D going to Tori Investments, Baysville, Ontario.

MHPH 68E NITA 203G

MHPH 646D GUNFIRE ET 401G MHPH 117E HOBBS ET 203H

MHPH 117E LADY 106H

The top pair brought $40,500.00. MHPH 106A Harley 102F sired by MHPH 521X Action 106A was selected by McDonald Farm, Grand Rapids, Michigan and her calf MHPH Harley 117E 130H sired by MHPH 3134 Evolution 117E was purchased by Edenvale Polled Herefords, Stayner, Ontario.

MHPH HF 3134 Style 108F sired by Churchill Stud 3134A and her calf MHPH HF 68E Style 2221H by ANL 420A Mountaineer 787X 68E brought $18,000.00. Nelson Hirsche Purebreds, Del Bonita, Alberta and JK Fraser Cattle, Cochrane, Alberta teamed up to purchase the pair.

Autumn Alliance XXXIX grossed $603,600.00 and averaged $13,127.87. A new record established in the Hereford Breed!

High selling bull, KJ MHPH RW 364C Media 240J ET sired by Loewen Genesis G16 ET brings $240,000.00 for a ¼ interest. He was purchased by Abby Hills Farms, Richmond, Ontario, Tennessee River Music, Fort Payne, Alabama and the Media group. Media was selected Senior Bull Calf Champion at the Canadian National Hereford Show at the 50th Anniversary of Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, Saskatchewan.

High selling heifer calf, MHPH 173D Dainty ET 415J sired by NJW 79Z Z311 Endure 173D ET, was purchased by Blairs.Ag Cattle Co., Lanigan, Saskatchewan for $27,000.00 ½ interest. Top bred female, MHPH 10Y Nita 305B sired by NJW 73S W18 Hometown 10Y ET was purchased by Tori Investments, Baysville, Ontario for $25,000.00. Double-H VLE OCF Riesling 104H sired by BR Belle Air 6011 was purchased by Eton Run Farm, Oshawa, Ontario for $20,000.00.

Autumn Alliance XXXX September 18th, 2022, will be an opportunity to be a part of history. Autumn Alliance has been and continues to be a source for elite seedstock. The folks at Medonte have been leaders through the thirty-nine years and great supporters and ambassadors of the breed. Over the past two decades, Medonte Highlands Polled Herefords, have bred and supplied many sires that were and are very influential in moving the breed and the beef industry forward. Over their history, Medonte Highlands and the guest Autumn Alliance breeders have been very competitive in the show ring.

An amazing track record, been named… Premier Exhibiter 7 times Premier Breeder 6 times Breeders herd 6 times The Class winners and divisional champions are too frequent to mention.

Ted Serhienko

KJ MHPH RW 364C MEDIA 240J ET